The Horns of Kern

  *

  Later in the day Norman found herself in the garden. She sat on the bench where her mother had met Gertrude. She was wondering what Gertrude was doing. The sun was warm. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze as it danced across her face. A rustling in the rose brambles stirred her back to an alert state of mind. She saw a huge old gray rabbit bounce out onto the path. The rabbit stopped and looked directly at her and bounded down the pathway heading down towards the troll village. He stopped and looked back almost as if to see if Norman was going to follow him. Norman was about to leave when the rose brambles moved again. This time it was a troll emerging from the thicket. She was pleasantly surprised to see Winifred’s wrinkled, pudgy face. She was carrying a basket and looked tired. “Mrs. Tinker, what a pleasant surprise! You look exhausted. Would you like to sit down for a while?” Norman reached out a hand to aid Winifred over a rock and onto the path.

  Winifred nodded. “Thank you, my dear girl. I used to be able to collect nectar and do all of my other chores without any problems. Now my legs talk to me walking up hills. My eyes play tricks on me, and I am always going around the hovel looking for things I have misplaced. Lately I have misplaced my memory. I always seem to be living in the ‘here after’.” She smiled and shook her head.

  “What do you mean you’re living in the ‘here after’?” Norman asked naively.

  Winifred had a mischievous look in her eye. “I go from one room to another wondering what I’m here after!” Winifred laughed a deep belly laugh. She stopped and looked at Norman.

  Norman was trying to figure out what was so funny. “Oh, I get it now! Oh my!” The princess started laughing right along with Winifred. “I’m younger than you and I do that already, Mrs. Tinker…”

  “Please call me Winifred, child. I am not one for formalities.”

  “Thank you, Winifred. Why are you out gathering nectar when Gertrude usually does that for you?”

  “Gertrude finished his chores and said that he had to go see my sister, Phoebe. He was thinking over what you had said this morning. He wanted to go ask his auntie a few questions. I couldn’t wait for him to return because I am so far behind in my baking. Fortunately, Derry is over helping me today. She is minding the kitchen while I am out here collecting nectar. I am sorry that I cannot sit longer, but I must get busy.” Winifred jumped down from the bench. She turned and bid Norman farewell and off she hopped back into the brambles.

  Norman wondered why Gertrude wanted to talk to his aunt. She looked up at the sun and decided that she should get back up to the castle.